Note: This package combines the previously released "Barbershop" DVDs with a couple of additional, separate bonuses. The main reviews are taken from the reviews of the prior DVDs, while the new add-ons are discussed in the extras section.

The Movie:

"Barbershop":

Although I've enjoyed Ice Cube's performances in the past, I was largely disapointed with the rapper's recent "All About The Benjamins", which was a dull, unfunny actioner. "Barbershop", thankfully, is a turn in the right direction - a funny, heartwarming tale of a neighborhood on Chicago's South Side that became an enormous hit for MGM (who certainly needed one) earlier this year.

The film stars Cube as Calvin, the owner of a barbershop that serves as the center of the community and a place where quite a few tales are told. The shop has been in Calvin's family for years, but the bills are piling up and Calvin's going to lose the shop (and his dreams of a recording studio) if things don't turn around soon. Unfortunately, he makes a quick decision to sell to a local businessman who, while claiming to keep the "barbershop" sign out front, will turn it into something quite different - a gentleman's club.

Realizing his error and the importance of his shop in the community, Calvin decides to try and get his shop back - unfortunately, it won't be that easy. At the same time, there's also JD (Anthony Anderson) and Billy (Lahmard Tate), two clumsy robbers who are constantly shown trying to move an unopened ATM around town. Mainly though, this is a film about talking - a play of sorts that successfully turns little incidents into some very amusing comedy (rapper Eve, as one of the barbers, turns the question of who drank her apple juice into something hilarious) and offers the audience some memorable characters (Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Eve and others really give solid performances). There's not a whole lot to it, but it's fast, funny and charming.

"Barbershop 2":

The Movie:

2002's "Barbershop" was a $12m production that went on to make $75m theatrically, not to mention additional revenue on video/DVD. The film was a a hit because it emphasized community, had heart, humor, drama and - despite featuring a largely African American cast - appealed to many different audiences.

The sequel is another clever, entertaining picture dealing with the neighborhood. Calvin (Ice Cube)'s Barbershop is still around and still entertaining the customers. Eddie (Cedric The Entertainer) is still saying things about current events that no one in the shop can believe he just said.

While everything starts off peacefully, it's not long before the shop is threatened again: this time, a developer (Harry Lenix) has purchased the site across the street and intends to turn it into a "Nappy Cutz", a giant, utterly high-tech haircut franchise. Unfortunately, the city counsel isn't on Calvin's side, as the local alderman is trying to advance a gentrification project for the area that would threaten the local businesses. Jimmy (Sean Patrick Thomas), who worked in the barbershop before, now works in the alderman's office and is trying to promote change from within.

Elsewhere, Terri (Eve) returns as the barber who hooks the focus of all of the male barbers and patrons. The owner of the local beauty parlor (Queen Latifah) also figures into the proceedings and squares off against Eddie, although Latifah's character in this movie seems somewhat like a promo insert for the talented actress's upcoming "Barbershop" spin-off.

Nicely directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, the film often inserts clips from the character's pasts, which allows the audience to further be involved with them and see the characters develop. The performances are once again superb, adding spark to the well-written material - Ice Cube, Cedric and Eve are stand-outs. Tom Priestley's cinematography captures Chicago and the neighborhoods quite well, too.

Overall, the characters are still appealing, the story is once again involving and - this is about the best compliment I could give a sequel - I'd be happy to join these characters for a third round.